Experienced horse, little-known rider
claim trophy wins in 2005 finals
by Cathy Martindale

One trophy went to the horse that had led all year. The other went to a rider few would have picked as a likely winner.

The second Western Horseman Cup finals, held Jan. 28, 2005, during the Augusta Futurity, showcased the talents of 15 Open horses and 15 Non-Pro riders. The finals at the Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center showed just why they had risen to the top over a year’s competition at selected NCHA shows.

Boon San Kitty, with trainer Eddie Flynn aboard, won the Open title by 1 point, marking a 221. Reserve honors went to Widows Intentions, ridden by Austin Sheppard.

The mare, by High Brow Cat out of Boon San Sally by Boon Bar, won $50,000 as well as getting her name engraved on the silver trophy cup.

Boon San Kitty, owned by Alice Walton’s Rocking W Ranch in Mineral Wells, Texas, had racked up 485 points during the three seasons of competition, leading the Open field by more than 200 points.
“It’s a dream come true,” Walton said, tears in her eyes. “She’s just a little horse we raised.”

Flynn and the mare worked fifth in the 15-horse bunch, holding three cows and seeming to build in quality and intensity as the two and one-half minutes ran.

“The third cow just sealed the run,” Flynn said. “It just really allowed us to show off the mare to her full potential.”

Widow’s Intentions, owned by James Langdale, claimed the reserve check for $23,250.

Of course, the gelding by Widows Freckles out of Intend To Do by Bob Acre Doc might have been excused for thinking his workday was done. After all, he’d just carried his owner to the Non-Pro title.

Langdale, manager of a forest products business from Quitman, Ga., didn’t profess to be experienced. He’d only been in cutting for a little more than two years, far less than many of the other non-pros in the finals. The previous night, he and Widows Intentions had managed just a 205 for a 19th place finish in the Classic Non-Pro, while Shepard had shown the horse to second in the Classic Open.

Working second, Langdale set the bar at 221 and then had to wait while 13 more competitors tried to beat it.

“With 221, I knew the judges left themselves some room,” he said afterward. “There’s a lot of good horses, and obviously, a lot more capable, experienced riders. I just stood back here nervous. If somebody lays down a good run, I congratulate them just the same.”

Langdale got a check for $30,001 and his name engraved on the silver trophy cup. Reserve champion Lewie Wood and PRF Playguns Pep, 1.5 points behind, earned $16,440.

Langdale qualified for the finals from the cumulative points list because several other non-pros had already qualified in earlier seasons. A non-pro may compete only once in the finals, although the horse may also qualify for the Open finals.